BERNARD A. DIXON
ROMNEY, W.Va. - Bernard A. Dixon, 75, a decorated World War II veteran and businessman who retired in 1984, died of cancer on December 24th at his home in Lake Istokpoga, Florida. Mr. Dixon also maintained a residence in Romney.
Mr. Dixon was born in Beckley, the son of the late James W. and Retha Tennet Dixon. He was a marine in World War II and served in the South Pacific campaign. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism on Iwo Jima for saving the lives of several members of his platoon. He also received a Purple Heart and other commendations during the war.
Mr. Dixon joined the Trojan Powder Company after the war and settled in the Romney area. Trojan eventually merged with the IMC and Angus corporations. He expanded the company's business in West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Mr. Dixon was a member of the Presbyterian church in Spring Lake, Florida. He was a long-time member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and an avid outdoorsman.
Mr. Dixon was married
to the former Dorothy Hardesty of Beckley who died in 1965. Survivors include his devoted wife of 31 years, Jessie Dixon; two stepsons, Edward O. Buckbee of Huntsville, AL and Robert D. Buckbee of Clifton, VA; and several cousins.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, 5887 Hwy. 98, Seabring, FL 33870. The pastor at Spring Lake, Reverend Donald E. Swope, formerly a pastor at Romney Presbyterian Church, will preside at the funeral services at 1 p.m., Monday, December 29th, at the Shaffer Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends at the Shaffer Funeral Home, Romney, on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Military graveside rites will be accorded by the Veterans Organizations of Hampshire County.
IRVING T. ATHEY
KEYSER, W.VA. - Irving T. "Doc" Athey, 75, of 315 South E St., Keyser, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 1997, at Sacred Heart Hospital, Cumberland, Md.
Born July 23, 1922, in Keyser, he was the son of the late James T. "Doc" and S. June (Kesner) Athey. He also was preceded in death by his first wife, J. Allene (Wagley) Athey on July 13, 1981.
Mr. Athey was a retired telegraph operator for the Chessie Railroad System. He served as mayor of Keyser for 10 years, and three years as a city councilman. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Keyser, Davis Lodge No. 51 AF&AM;, Keyser, Ali Ghan Shrine, Cumberland, Scottish Rite of Wheeling, and the Keyser Moose Lodge No. 662.
He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, a member of the Eleventh Armored Division, member and past commander of VFW Post No. 6775 Queens Point, McCoole, and the Boyce-Houser Post No. 41 American Legion, Keyser.
Surviving are his wife, Marlene E. (Nichols) Athey; one son, William I. Athey and wife Judy, Keyser; one grandson, Clinton William Athey; two brothers, Frederick L. Athey and wife Barbara; and Arnold Athey, both of Keyser.
Friends will be received at the Markwood McKenzie Funeral Home, Keyser, on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1997, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. S.D. Sawyers and the Rev. Michael Dean officiating.
Masonic graveside services and entombment will be in Potomac Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Keyser.
VFW Post No. 6775 Queens Point will hold a memorial service at the funeral home on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association.
RUTH R. FOSTER
MOOREFIELD, W.Va. - Ruth R. Foster, 78, of Second Lane, Moorefield, and Bayard, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 22, 1997, at the Grant Memorial Hospital, Petersburg.
Born April 4, 1919, in Dobbin, she was the daughter of the late Harry E. and Virgie A. (Knotts) Poling. She also was preceded in death by her second husband, Dr. Joseph Foster, in 1995.
Mrs. Foster was the owner/operator of Ruth's General Store, Bayard, since 1975, and was a member of the Fairview Church of the Brethren, Oakland, Md.
Surviving are three daughters, Nancy L. Dixon and husband Bill, Baltimore, Sandra L. Denton and husband Les, Oakland, and Sue E. Jamison and husband Perry, Rawlings, Md.; three sons, James A. Dunithan and wife Jeannie, Purgitsville, Richard L. Dunithan and wife Betty, Olympia, Wash., and Harry D. Dunithan and wife Shiela, Chester, Va.; two half sisters, Bertie Barkley, Flemington, and Sylvia Beeghly, Oakland; three half brothers, Garrett Davy, Walter Davy and Albert Davy, all of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; 18 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Stewart Funeral Home, Oakland.
Services will be held at the Bayard United Methodist Church on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. David Moon, the Rev. Shelba Sisler and the Rev. Ray Rodeheaver officiating.
Friends may call the church one hour prior to services.
HARTZELLE K. EBERLINE
KEYSER, W.Va. - Hartzelle Kathryn Eberline, 82, of Route 2, Keyser, died Friday, Aug. 15, 1997, at Potomac Valley Hospital, Keyser.
Born Sept. 16, 1914, in Purgitsville, she was a daughter of the late Burt Allen Helman and Martha (Arnold) Helman. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Chester J. Eberline Sr.
Mrs. Eberline was a homemaker and Methodist by faith.
Surviving are one son, C. J. Eberline Jr. and his wife Joy, LaJolla, Calif., one sister, June Helman Ashby, Keyser; and one niece, Michelle Joy Ashby, Mauertown, Va.
At Mrs. Eberline's request, her body was cremated. There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1997, at 1 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Park, Cumberland, Md., with the Rev. Richard Mortimore officiating. Friends and family may attend.
Eichhorn-McKenzie Funeral Home, Lonaconing, is in charge of the arrangements.
VILLA G. DITTMER
RIDGELEY, W.Va. - Villa Grace Root Dittmer, 94, of Ridgeley, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 1997, at Sacred Heart Hospital, Cumberland.
Born Dec. 26, 1902, she was the daughter of the late George Edward and Margaret (Hebb) Root. She also was preceded in death by her husband, James P. Dittmer Sr.; one son, James P. Dittmer Jr.; three daughters, Shirley Conway, Betty Durbin, and Lorraine Day King; and 18 brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Dittmer was retired from the Celanese Corporation, where she had worked in the spinning department. She was a member of the Central Assembly of God Church.
Survivors include one brother, George Root, Crellin, W.Va.; three sisters, Juanita Hoben and husband Dick, Amboy, W.Va., Vinelda Grim, Ohio, and Sylvia Hyde and husband Chris, Cumberland; five grandchildren, Linda Deremer, Cumberland, Russell Durbin Jr., Baltimore, Donald W. Conway Jr., Garner, N.C., David S. Conway, Winchester, Va., and Steven H. Day, Tyler, Texas; eight great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Friends will be received at the George-Upchurch Funeral Home, 202 Greene St., Cumberland, on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home on Saturday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Gary Butler officiating.
Serving as pallbearers will be Russell Durbin Jr., Steve Day, Scott Conway, Donny Conway, Larry Kenney, and Scott Conway Jr.
ELAINE C. GAMBLE
MOOREFIELD, W.Va. - Elaine (Cole) Gamble, 67, of 131 S. Elm St., Moorefield, died Sunday, March 9, 1997, at her residence.
Born Sept. 2, 1929, in Cumberland, Md., she was the daughter of the late Gilbert and Ruth (Milburn) Cole. She also was preceded in death by one sister.
Surviving are her husband, Mortimer Williams Gamble IV, Moorefield; and two sons, Mortimer Williams Gamble V, Fairmont, and David Cole Gamble, Owings Mills, Md.
Mrs. Gamble was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority of Fairmont State College, where she received a degree in education. She taught school in Marion County, and was a member of the Moorefield Presbyterian Church and the Moorefield American Legion Auxiliary. She graduated from Fort Hill High School, Cumberland.
Friends may call any time after 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Elmore-Chambers Funeral Home, Moorefield, and the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be conducted at the funeral home on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Bruce A. Macbeth officiating.
